LL:DDV: Rally Against Ruddock and Racism!

[Rachel]

Ruddock, the present Anti-Immigration Minister is holding a meeting in 
Bayswater to drum up support for his racist immigration policies and for 
the Liberal Party in general.

Resistance is organising a protest outside this meeting to show people 
Ruddocks and our governments racism will not be tolerated.

Ruddocks and the Liberals List Of Racist Crimes:

In the last few months the Liberal government has gone on a racist rampage: 
They've

1. Implemented One Nations Immigration Policies (with the help of the ALP).
2. Mandatory Detention of Refugees in Concentration Camps. Denying these 
needy refugees basic human rights to the media, their family, lawyers and 
so on.
3. Touted the idea of forcing these refugees into slave labor. Picking 
fruit for pittance while the majority of wages go to the government.
4. Refused to override the racist NT mandatory sentencing laws which saw a 
15 yr old Aboriginal boy hang himself.
5. Waged a massive propaganda campaign against so called illegal 
immigrants. Accused these people of "queue jumping", "taking jobs", "being 
a burden" etc etc. This is when Lib/Lab governments have slashed 
immigration intakes, sacked thousands of public servants and giving 
millions in handouts to big business who fail to invest in job creation.

So take a stand against the racism of this government. An injury to one is 
an injury to all!

The Demands of the Rally are:
1.No Refugee Slave Camps!
2.End Mandatory Sentencing of Refugees!
3.Let the Refugees Stay!
4. Reverse Cuts to Immigration Services!
5. Protest Mandatory Sentencing in the NT!

Thurs March 2nd 6:30pm. At he Knox Auditorium Community Centre,
Bayswater. Cnr Mountian Hwy and Scoresby Rd, Bayswater. Melways ref. Pg
64 G3.

Organised by Resistance and the Democratic Socialist Party.
Call 9639 8622 for more info


LL.VC

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LL:DDV: Booklaunch at NIB

[Patsy Segall]

Environmental Expose at the NIB

Don't miss the Godfather of Australian bushwalking,Tyrone Thomas,
launching his new book 'My Environmental Expose' at the New
International Bookshop (Trades Hall, cnr of Lygon and Victoria St) on
Tuesday 29th February at 6.30 pm. Tyrone will be speaking about how his
experiences in the bush made him aware of the damage being wrought on
precious wilderness, and what he thinks can be done to preserve our
natural heritage.

For more info, contact the NIB on 9662 3744.



LL.VB

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LL:DDS: ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION..beverly blockaDE

[seryuiop wert]

BLOCKADE BEVERY URANIUM MINE...its on now ...stop it before it starts

for more info call Flinders Rangers Environment Action Collective on 08 
86752242

its the kids out at beverly things are comin together out here in a slowly 
but shorly desert dusty kind a way ...the aboriginal mob are gettin fired 
up and ther will be a tradional seramony action kind a thing on friday up 
at the mine we are goin to need more people up here to be able to 
mantain a camp out here also a satalite phone food and tarps would be 
wicked to be able to keep the presure on heathegate in there face ...the 
mine is already 3 months behind in construction and are spending a heep on 
surcurity ...this mine has been stopped before we can do it againwe 
need people resourses and inthusiasm ...

get in touch and play in da dust...see ya out there..F.R.E.A.C



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LL:DDN: MANDATORY SENTENCING PROTEST

[Genevieve Derwent]

u know the story.
Please distribute far and wide
STOP MANDATORY SENTENCING PROTEST
12 noon, Sunday March 5th, Town Hall, Sydney.
"It Shames Us All"
Mandatory sentencing is a blight on Australia. The death of a 15 year old 
Indigenous boy while he was serving a 28 day mandatory sentence for 
stealing less than $100 worth of stationery is a tragedy from which this 
nation must learn.

Back the Bob Brown Bill to Ban Mandatory Sentencing.
Organised By the Sydney Coalition Against Unfair Sentencing
Further information: Kilty 02 9281 5100

LL.NC

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LL:URL: Leftlink's new archive home

[owner-leftlink]

After trying out several mail archive web sites, I've moved the Leftlink 
archive to the following address:

http://www.cat.org.au/lists/leftlink/

This site is hosted by cat  a community technology 
group.  If you're looking up the Leftlink archive, you might want to drop 
by cat's web site for things like free music, unreal estate, and the 
DIsenchanted Worker's Union.

Alister Air
Leftlink moderator




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LL:DDV: VIGIL FOR PEACE IN THE FORESTS

[OREN propaganda]

"KOORIES, WORKERS, & ENVIRONMENTALISTS STAND-UP FOR PEACE IN OUR FOREST"

Where:  Department of Natural Resources =96 Information Centre, Corner
Victoria and Nicholson St, Melbourne (opposite St Vincents Hospital).

When:   7:00am onwards, Tuesday 29th of February 2000

Why:The serious attacks and malicious beatings of environmentalists
peacefully protesting in the forests of East Gippsland and the Otways
cannot be tolerated. A discredited RFA process can only lead to a single
inevitable outcome: escalating violence.
It is imperative we all do our bit to raise public pressure on the
government to mediate in the conflict and end the violence and intimidation
with peaceful and open all-party talks.

What:   Aboriginal Elders, Environmentalists and workers condemn RFA
violence and demand sustainable alternatives are seriously researched and
trialed. Aunty Betty King will make a rare personal and passionate
appearance.

This action is a public and practical example of the non-violent work which
growing numbers of environmental activists have embraced to help protect
our last remaining native forests. Moreover, we hope to have native tree
seedlings to give out to petitioners, as well as hosting performers,
climbing displays, colourful placards and banners etc. All contributions
welcome. Spread the word, tell your friends

East Gippsland and  Otways forest activists will be bringing their
Non-Violent Direct Action (NVDA) forest tactics to Melbourne on Tuesday so
DONT miss out on an action/awareness raising extravaganza the likes of
which Melbourne has never seen!

Must the Government have death on its hands before its prepared to enter
into open and constructive dialog with all stakeholders; including local,
regional and indigenous communities, workers, environmentalists,
recreational fisherman, unions, and industry representatives?

This is one question we must put to Bracks, Garbutt, and her
environmentally corrupt department - the DNRE.

Contact:

Hope (Forest Action Network) 0408 138 397,=20
Michelle (Future Rescue) 0402 014 314,
Fiona (Monash Environment Group) 0427 033 321
--
O t w a y s   R a n g e s   E n v i r o n m e n tN e t w o r k
An affilliation of Otway's residents, regional and Victorian
conservation groups, Community groups and campus conservation networks

[EMAIL PROTECTED] (OREN Propaganda)

WEB SITE http://www.oren.org.au

DO NOT assume that any act of damage to logging equipment or logging
infrastructure is done by conservationists or members of anti - logging
groups. - Victorian Police (internal memo)




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LL:PR: THE WORLD SALUTES MAJOR GENERAL PETER COSGROVE

[Andrew Haydon Alcock]

Campaign for an Independent East Timor (South Australia) Inc.
(Affiliated to the International Federation for East Timor, the East Timor
Relief Association, the Australian Coalition for a  Free East Timor and the
Australia East Timor Network)
c/o Development Education Centre   first floor 220 Victoria Square
ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA 5000



ATTENTION:  CHIEF OF STAFF

MEDIA STATEMENT:FOR IMMEDIATE USE   27 FEBRUARY 2000

THE WORLD SALUTES MAJOR GENERAL PETER COSGROVE
The following statement was released today by the Campaign's Information
Officer, Andrew Alcock,  in response to the return of Major General Peter
Cosgrove to Australia and the visit to Australia by UN Secretary General Mr
Kofi Annan:

"This week saw the return to Australia  of the INTERFET forces and their
commander major General Peter Cosgrove. Before the force departed East
Timor, Australians saw images of the Major General farewelling a crowd of
East Timorese, hugging their respected leader Xanana Gusmao and leading a
chant of "Viva Xanana!!". Cosgrove and the Australian troops received
praise from the grateful East Timorese leadership.

People in Australia and around the world have praised Cosgrove  for the
role he has played in the UN peace enforcing role in East Timor. It is many
years since an Australian soldier has commanded such respect at home and
abroad.

The reason for Cosgrove's popularity is that he managed to bring the right
mix of commonsense, compassion, tough-mindedness, political nous and
military know-how to help bring peace and relative stability to East Timor.
Many Australians believe that it is these abilities that would make him a
very able political leader.

Certainly his leadership of INTERFET in East Timor has given Australians
much to be proud of. His performance has helped to erase much shame over
official Australia's handling of the East Timor question over the past 25
years.

The East Timorese were sold out 25 years ago because Australian political
leaders (Labor, Liberal and National) were more interested in profiting
from the territory's purloined resources and appeasing the Suharto regime
than they were in the human rights of the East Timorese, West Papuans and
Indonesians. A succession of leaders persisted with this immoral and
inhumane policy for over 24 years.

Present Australian political leaders also failed East Timorese in the lead
up to the 1999 referendum. The same arguments for refusing to help East
Timor in 1975 were still considered more important by the present
government when it was obvious to the world and its own security services
that the Indonesian military would coordinate a bloodbath if the East
Timorese chose independence. Foreign Minister Downer told a deputation in
August 1999 that it was irresponsible to call for a UN force to intervene.

The tardiness of the decision to send a peace force meant that thousands
more East Timorese perished and suffered. While all people of goodwill are
grateful that eventually the UN and Australia played an important role in
bringing peace to East Timor, it must be acknowledged that if there had
been more regard given to political integrity and respect for human rights,
that many more lives would have been saved.

As a number of nations are preparing to prematurely re-establish military
ties with the Indonesian military, those suffering oppression and those who
are working for peace and justice are hoping that more of the world's
political leaders will display the great human values of Mahatma Gandhi,
Nelson Mandela, Xanana Gusmao and Peter Cosgrove and put human rights above
commercial interests".



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LL:DDV: Students for Socialism conference

[David Glanz]

The Socialist Worker Student Clubs at Melbourne, Monash, La Trobe and RMIT
universities are holding a one-day open conference, Students for Socialism,
at Melbourne Uni on Sunday, March 12.

Registration begins on the second floor of the Union House at 10am with the
first session at 10.30am. The cost is $5 if booked in advance or $8 on the
door. Childcare is included if booked by March 8.

Students, workers and the unwaged are all welcome.

The agenda is:

10.30am

Howard and censorship--the Liberals' moral offensive

or

Are people too greedy for socialism?

11.30am

Karl Marx's theory of history

or

Rebuilding the labour movement: what politics do we need?
[Speakers including leftwing Labor author Andrew Scott and federal NUS
president Lisa Johnson]

2pm

Women under attack--time to fight back
[Speakers including invited Braybrook textile worker]

or

The Russian Revolution--what really happened?

3.30pm

PLENARY: After Seattle--the battle against corporate tyranny
[Speakers including Damien Sullivan from Friends of the Earth and Seattle
eye-witness]

To register or to get more information, email
[EMAIL PROTECTED], write to GPO Box 1473N, Melbourne 3001, or
ring Luke on 0419 135 019.

Please post to appropriate lists and addresses.


LL.VB

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LL:AA: Information re aid to Mozambique

[Ron Gray]

Dear Friends,  Here is info. re urgent aid needs in Mozambique, and how to 
donate if you wish to.

Irene

-Original Message-
From: Carly Garner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: Irene Gale <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Friday, 25 February 2000 16:30
Subject: Re: Mozambique

Thankyou for your enquiry and your obvious concern for the current 
situation in Mozambique.

CAA has a regional field office based in Maputo and has had an extensive 
program throughout Mozambique since 1986. CAA is presently running a 
multi-million dollar food security program involving water, agricultural 
development and HIV aids.

CAA is the lead OXFAM agency in Mozambique and is now coordinating the 
OXFAM response to the flooding.

Oxfam is working with an assessment team of UNICEF, MSF, Govt and Red Cross 
personnel is in the affected areas outside of Maputo. From there a decision 
will be made as to where our assistance is most needed.

The Oxfams are working together on this with Oxfam GB, Oxfam Belgium and 
CAA each contributing funds to emergency relief needs. Jerry cans, water 
purification tablets, blankets, plastic sheeting, cooking utensils and 
clothing have been purchased and flown into Maputo. Helicopters are being 
used for distribution to some of the worst effected areas. CAA is now 
raising funds to cover the cost of flying out a plane load of plastic 
sheeting (about $300,000) and is developing a million dollar water 
rehabilitation project.

CAA and Oxfam GB have sent out a water engineer Oxfam GB have also sent and 
a public health person to undertake a full assessment and support the field 
office. Maputo's sanitation facilities had been damaged.

Oxfam has warned of a looming threat of disease;

"The real risk is from an outbreak of cholera or malaria, which is what we 
will be trying to prevent in the next week or two," said Kate Horne of Oxfam.

Maputo City authorities also said they need about 25,000 plots of land on 
The city's outskirts to resettle the homeless. Tens of thousands have lost 
their homes and belongings within the area of the capital, Maputo. UNICEF 
have calculated that this includes over 30,000 children. The extent of 
damage in outlying areas is still being assessed but is extensive.

Flooding was reported in the district of Chokwe in the southern Gaza 
Province at the weekend, damaging farmland in the fertile Limpopo Valley. 
On Sunday it hit Chibuto district, cutting off a number of villages, 
including Malehice, the home village of President Joaquim Chissano.

The heavy rains, which began last Sunday, are expected to continue well 
into next week and new areas are being affected as the downpours move 
further west.

Other countries in the southern African region have also been affected.

In Botswana, which is normally very arid, officials say dams are 
overflowing, most of the country's major road are under water and the 
government has appealed for international aid.

The capital Gaborone was cut off on Friday as the heavy rains washed out a 
railway line and flooded homes and a prison. More than 500 prisoners were 
evacuated from the flooded Gaborone Prison.


There are many web sites with information

http://www.reliefweb.int/IRIN/sa/countrystories/other/2208.htm

www.oxfam.org

Community Aid Abroad are accepting donations for the MOzambique appeal. To 
donate, call 1800 088 110 or you can send a cheque or money order to our 
national office at 156 George St, Fitzroy VIC 3065.

Thanks again for your enquiry. Should you require futher information about 
the CAA Oxfam response, please contact myself or Mark Burslem at 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] or log onto our web site at www.caa.org.au for updates.

Regards
Carly

Carly Garner
Pledge Assistant
Community Aid Abroad
156 George St.
Fitzroy
Victoria 3065
Australia
Email [EMAIL PROTECTED]



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LL:AA: Free the Timorese hostages. Write to Kofi Annan

[Peter Job]

FREE THE HOSTAGES! WRITE TO KOFI ANNAN

The Free Timor Campaign is conducting a letter writing campaign to Kofi
Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations on the issue of the 80,000
or so East Timorese hostages still trapped in camps in West Timor, to where
they were forcibly removed from their homes in East Timor after the August
30 independence ballot by pro-Jakarta Militia and the Indonesian Armed
Forces (TNI).

Conditions in the camps are appalling, with reports of beatings, rapes and
murders continuing to be told by those who escape. The pro-Jakarta militia
and the TNI who were responsible for the devastation of East Timor after
the independence ballot remain the principal forces within the camps.

Under these conditions it is impossible for the East Timorese hostages in
the camps to make a free choice as to whether they wish to return to their
homeland. Reports of death threats against those who attempt to do so
remain common.

The United Nations has announced that the West Timor/East Timor border will
be closed to refugees from 31 March. Furthermore, the United Nations
presence within the camps remains minimal.

What can be done?

Either write your own letter to Kofi Annan or use the working below as a
basis and send to,

Mr Kofi Annan,
Secretary General of the United Nations,
United Nations General Assembly,
New York
USA


United Nations General Assembly,
New York
United States of America

Dear Mr Annan,

I feel that it is imperative that all East Timorese forced to leave their
homeland since the announcement of the ballot result on September 4 be free
to choose whether or not to return to East Timor without fear or
intimidation, based on accurate information on the current situation there.
To this end I request that the United Nations do all within its power to
ensure that,
* hostages in West Timor continue to be encouraged and assisted in
returning by the East Timor land border after March 31.
* the militias that continue to operate in West Timor are disarmed,
removed from the camps, and prevented from harassing or intimidating in any
way East Timorese in any part of Indonesia.
* the TNI, (Indonesian armed forces) are prevented from entering the camps
or harassing or intimidating in any way East Timorese in any part of
Indonesia.
* international observers under UN auspices be placed in the camps to
ensure that these measures are carried out, and that the people there are
otherwise free from intimidation and have access to accurate information on
the current situation in East Timor.
* where necessary, given that many hostages and refugees are destitute,
they be provided with adequate transport, support services, and where
necessary food to allow them to depart for East Timor, whether it be by the
East Timor/West Timor border, Jakarta, or any other departure point.

Yours sincerely,





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